1976 alarm switch problem and a couple other questions

You'll find answers to most of your questions in this group, so I'm not going to do that. What I would like to do is offer you some perspective. I have spent four committed years and thousands of dollars to get my '77 into the shape where I now have only to worry about things like those you mention. Be very, very grateful to in-laws who gifted this vehicle to you.

First thing for you to do is get a Service Manual for the vehicle. A GM Service Manual. You'll find them on e-Bay. In fact, get all kinds of written material on your new car. It all helps.

I'm envious, sure, but also happy to hear of someone joining in the fun of 'Vette rebuilding and maintenance. Welcome aboard, and realize that some things are just a pain in the ass -- like the window washer bottle.

All part of it. All worth it.

(BTW, there are printed materials exclusive to things like the circuitry of the alarm system and the vacuum system for the headlights. Get all that stuff, too.) I don't have all the URLs of the various parts suppliers close at hand, but someone here will. I'm trying to be, but still not as organized with the information as I need to be.

Welcome to the world of Corvettes. Is this your first one?

Yes, it's my first Vette. I am 39 years old and loving it. My 13-year-old son is drooling, just waiting for his permit at age 15. My 10-year-old daughter likes me to drive fast. My wife actually drives it more than I do :). I've learned a lot about the car since I got it last April. I've already done the following:

- Replaced a few of the dashboard gauge lights

- Cleaned up the engine cavity a bit, all the majors appear to be original.

- The headlamps were going up & down very slowly, so I replaced the vacuum hose and the vacuum hose air filter, now no problem.

- The hardest job so far for sure was having to replace the two small springs that pull the rear brake shoes together when the parking brake is not in use. The 30-year-old springs must have snapped when I used the parking brake. The rotors are original and I had to drill the rivets out just to get the rotor off to get to the darn shoes. Took a lot of patience with needle-nose pliers to get the new springs in.

- Replaced the air cleaner filter, the small air filter on the side of the air cleaner and the fuel filter.

- Oil change. Now using synthetic only.

- Oh a funny one. It spent all of its previous life in New Mexico where there is no emissions testing. Somewhere along the way, someone removed the Cat and welded a pipe in there. Well, they couldn't pass me here in Colorado because it was missing the Cat. So, I had Meineke put in one and passed the test. I got Collector Car plates, so now I don't have to have emissions testing anymore. Oh well, at least I'm a good environmental citizen...

- The door springs that hold the doors open were missing. Put in new ones yesterday.

I'm awaiting new side-view mirrors this week. The current ones must be original. The ball/socket joint doesn't hold the mirror in place anymore. Anyone need mirrors that don't work :)?

One of the bigger things I'll need to look at next spring is the blower. Either it's not working well or there is some blockage, or the vacuum switch that controls where the air is diverted to is screwed up. The heater seems to work and air comes out the bottom vents when I choose Heater or Defroster, but air will not come out the top vents when I choose Vent.

Since I'm on a roll, here are more questions.

- It rides pretty rough, every bump is felt. Obviously, the suspension needs work. Would you replace all the springs, shocks, leaf spring, etc. or take it one part at a time? What would you start with, the shocks?

Regards, Mark

This is one of the things I'm working on as well. Except my blower is not currently coming on, but I know it does, or used to. I love the electrical stuff because I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

Mine rode like hell when I first got it too. I didn't even like to drive it. When I pulled the engine to do a rebuild, I replaced all the bushings in the front (later in the rear, too) and put on new shocks. I also got really good tires. Now, I'd say it rides as well as anything I've owned. The only thing left is the mono-leaf, but the way it rides now, I'm putting that off until it seems like a problem.

How is your weatherstripping? Mine's shot, so that is what I am making as my next purchase. Then I'll find out what kind of problem that is to rip out and replace.

Keep your son away from it. He should be at least 35 before you let him sit in the driver's seat! (j/k)

perspective.

The weatherstripping is so-so. Would probably like to replace the front windshield stripping and the T-top stripping.

Replace that weatherstripping soon and be sure you get no leaks inside the car. Unlike earlier Corvettes, the '76 and up have metal floors that rust, so leaks can be very bad. Unfortunately, most t-tops leak, and it takes a lot to keep them sealed.

Many solve it by never driving in the rain, but my attitude is that it is a car, it was designed to be driven, and if you hide from the rain, you lose an awful lot of opportunity to drive it.

If you drove it every day in the rain, that would be one thing, but to hit rain on a trip or get caught in it while out is no big deal.